The World Equestrian Center's Western Shows - September 2026
Event information provided courtesy WEC-Ocala
Photo courtesty of Shane Rux Photography
Article by Cynthia McFarland
The WEC September Show Line-up Puts Western Competition in the Spotlight
Anyone fortunate enough to have witnessed the top hunters and jumpers in action at World Equestrian Center – Ocala knows how intense the competition can be.
Watching horses soaring over obstacles is certainly exhilarating, but it’s not just English horses and riders who are drawn to this facility in the heart of horse country.
WEC – Ocala is on pace for a busy September with more than $1 million in total prize money on the line across Western competition as three large shows come together putting Quarter Horses, Paint Horses and Appaloosas in the spotlight.
The Championship Show runs September 15-20, the APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic runs September 17-20, and The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show runs September 18-20.
This combination of Western shows is new for WEC.
“The Championship Show has been a staple of our fall calendar at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, but 2026 marks the first year that all three shows will be held together. The APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic and The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show are both making their WEC – Ocala debuts this year,” says WEC Equestrian Operations Manager Greg Wheat.
With three shows running concurrently and exhibitors competing for more than $1 million in prize money, and added money available throughout the week, WEC is expecting a strong turnout of horses and exhibitors.
The Championship Show is technically an all-breed show, so it’s not limited exclusively to Quarter Horses. However, the show does feature classes specifically designated for AQHA-registered horses.
“This year, the addition of the APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic and The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show brings even more breed-specific competition to the week, with Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, Appaloosas and other breeds all having opportunities to compete at WEC – Ocala,” notes Wheat.
Trail competition is expected to be one of the biggest highlights across all three shows, with several major classes taking place Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19.
Trail is certainly a major focus, but spectators will also have the opportunity to see a wide variety of Western disciplines and classes across the WEC – Ocala property.
With three separate shows taking place during the week, there will be judges representing the different breeds and governing organizations. The week includes AQHA and NSBA competition during The Championship Show, APHA and NSBA-approved competition during the APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic, and ApHC competition during The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show.
No need to worry about the weather. All three shows will utilize WEC – Ocala’s climate-controlled indoor arenas. The APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic will take place in Indoor Arenas 2 and 3, while The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show will be held in Indoor Arena 5.
“The Championship Show will utilize several competition spaces across the property, including WEC – Ocala’s iconic outdoor Grand Arena, as well as climate-controlled indoor arenas and other competition rings,” says Wheat.
Local horsewoman
Samantha Dailey, Showcase Properties agent and Ocala horse owner, will be showing in the Ranch division of the APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic.
She’ll be riding her 4-year-old AQHA palomino gelding, Jacs 66, or “Finn,” as he’s known around the barn.
“He’s been at a couple smaller open shows, but this is his debut at a big show,” says Samantha, who bought Finn earlier this year. “We’ve been working hard all summer and now we’re stepping up into the bigger leagues.”
Despite growing up on a farm in the Horse Capital of the World®, Samantha didn’t show horses as a kid. She was busy raising and showing cattle and involved in 4-H projects.
After taking a Ranch Horse class for fun while attending the University of Florida, she liked it so much, she started taking lessons and bought her first horse.
She got her Broker Associate license and became a full-time member of the Showcase Properties team in 2022. She fits lessons, riding and showing around her real estate work and loves how it all comes together.
Samantha especially likes competing in the ranch division, which continues to grow in popularity.
“There are three large breed associations coming together all within a week, offering a variety of disciplines, and it’s all happening at once at WEC,” she notes. “Because all these shows are going on at the same time, if I wanted, I could show on both the AQHA and APHA circuit.”
Spectator friendly
Spectators are welcome to come out and enjoy the competition throughout the week. There is no charge for admission or parking.
Competition begins Tuesday, September 15, with all three shows overlapping later in the week.
“Friday and Saturday will be particularly exciting for spectators, with several of the week’s biggest Trail classes taking place in the Grand Arena and Indoor Arena 5,” says Wheat, who recommends checking the competition schedules before arriving, as class times and schedules are subject to change.
In addition to watching the horse shows, guests can enjoy shopping, dining and other amenities throughout WEC – Ocala.
Spectators can use the helpful WEC – Ocala property map is available to find the competition arenas, parking, dining, shopping and other amenities: https://map.wec.net/?id=1954#!ct/78082,78083,78085?s/
Learn more:
The Championship Show | September 15–20, 2026
A cornerstone event, The Championship Show features $775,500 in prize money. Catch the highly anticipated trail competition on:
Friday, September 18 at 8am | Grand Arena: $50,000 NSBA All Age Non-Pro Trail
Friday, September 18 at 7pm | Grand Arena: $100,000 NSBA All Age Limited Open Trail presented by Marsh McLennan Agency LLC
Saturday, September 19 at 7pm | Grand Arena: $100,000 NSBA All Age Open Trail
Find more information on The Championship Show page: https://www.anequineproduction.com/championshipshow
APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic | September 17–20, 2026
Friday, September 18 around noon | Grand Arena: $10,000 Green Trail
Friday, September 18 around noon | Grand Arena: $20,000 Open All-Age Trail
Find more information on the APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic page: https://floridapainthorseclub.weebly.com/26-zone-9-show.html
The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show | September 18–20, 2026
Saturday, September 19 | Indoor Arena 5: $20,000 NSBA Open Trail
Find more information on The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show page: https://www.ckwshowmanagement.com/
World Equestrian Center – Ocala
1750 NW 80th Avenue, Ocala
352-414-7900
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